Chapter 6: Tryst
Dawn came all too soon for the servants in the castle. The sound of shuffling feet could be heard throughout the stone halls of the great fortress. Dread was an easy thing to detect in the atmosphere inside, yet not one servant uttered a word of complaint. For they knew should they dare, there would be dire consequences to pay. So everyone went along with the scheduled routine and hurried to finish the preparations before the guest's arrival.
Sae stayed with the servants meant to take in the guest's belongings. All were ordered to wait in front of the castle, where the guest and their carriages would be arriving. From there, said servants were to accompany them to their rooms.
Sae had not seen anything unusual about this arrangement upon getting up, but when she realized that she and the rest of the male servants were meant to wait outside until their assigned nobility arrived, she could not help but feel a bit annoyed. Not only was the morning air chilly, but due to the early mists, it was also rather wet. And if there was anything Sae hated more than the cold, it was being wet.
She did note, however, that she was not the only one who was unhappy with their current situation. Many of the male servants waiting outside shifted restlessly on their feet and mumbled some colorful words under their breaths each time a cold gust of wind blew past them. Others remained silent but wore very pained expressions on their faces. It would have been a humorous situation for Sae, had she not been shivering in her skin as well. She tried to console herself by imagining a toasty fire and a warm drink. However, the image was destroyed every time her teeth began to chatter particularly hard.
It seemed ages before the sighting off the first carriage arrived.
The man on watch bellowed the crest engraved onto the carriage and the servants meant for that particular nobility stepped forward.
For hours the routine was followed. A carriage would come within sight range, the watchman would bellow the crest, and the servants would come forward. At first, Sae was rather happy that her lady had yet to arrive. But as hour after hour went by, she started become anxious. It was true that she was not looking forward to serving this particular lady, but the more time past the more her mind conjured up terrible scenarios. And as her twin said in the past, letting her imagination roam free was never a good idea. She tended to work herself up and start fretting over the silliest of things.
Finally, when it seemed as if she was the only servant left, the watchman bellowed the crest name of the lady she was meant to serve.
Her heart beating wildly, Sae stepped forward and waited for the carriage to pull up.
When the carriage door swung open, revealing the lady within, Sae had to stifle a gasp of surprise. Lady Fukui was everything and nothing like Sae had expected. Sae had assumed the woman would be beautiful and she was, but not as she envisioned. She had envisioned a beautiful, seductive woman. One with bed room eyes, dark silky hair, and alluring features. Not a woman with eyes as blue as the sky, hair the color of sunshine or a face that would put even an angel to shame.
"Well, why are you just standing there, boy? Move it!" barked one of the generals, snapping Sae out of her momentary daze like a whip.
Jumping into action, Sae took the suspended gloved hand and helped Lady Fukui down the small steps of the carriage. She tried to keep her head down as not to offend the lady. It was not permitted to stare upon the lady or lord's face without being spoken to. The action was considered disrespectful.
"So you are the servant boy Lord Sesshomaru has chosen to serve me, yes?" asked a soft, melodic voice.
Sae lifted her face the slightest bit, trying not to gape. "Yes, my lady," she answered, not adding that it was actually the lord's generals who assigned the servants. It was not her place to contradict a woman of nobility.
"Hmm," she murmured, her throat practically purring with the sound. "You are much younger than most of the men who have served me but I believe your stamina will make up for your lack of experience."
Gulping, Sae continued to gaze past Lady Fukui's shoulder and prayed she was joking. She'd rather hoped all those stories she'd been told about this particular lady were rumors. The noble woman had a rather promiscuous reputation yet not once had Sae encounter any of the "lovers" she had supposedly left behind.
"So silent," Lady Fukui teased, leaning into Sae. "I do like that in a man ... or in your case a boy."
Although she scowled at the slight, Sae still did not comment.
Chuckling silkily, Lady Fukui laid a slim, well-manicured hand on Sae's sleeve. "I will enjoy helping you come into manhood," she whispered conspicuously and then straightened, looking every inch a lady again. "Now you may grab my things from the carriage and escort me to my room," she said loudly, with a voice that was accustomed to obedience.
Glad for the excuse to get away from the uncomfortable attention, Sae practically ran towards the trunks that were waiting and grabbed an armful. She huffed a bit from the effort, but was able to walk fairly stable into the castle without stumbling or falling on her face.
"I assume I am in the west wing," Lady Fukui announced, not waiting for conformation before heading in that direction.
Mentally rolling her eyes, Sae followed suit after the high born lady and wondered why she would assume that she was in the west wing. She was correct, of course. She had been, indeed, placed in the west wing. Unlike most of the other guest who had been placed on the eastern part of the castle.
When she had been told of the arrangements, Sae had not given the placements much thought. But now that she had a minute or two to ponder it, she wondered why Lady Fukui was being put in the forbidden wing. Since the beginning of her stay at the castle, Sae had learned never to venture into the western part of the lord's domain. Not only was it forbidden but they had made it clear that disobeying those rules would lead to punishment. Only those with strict permission were allowed.
So why put the Lady Fukui there?
"I know what you are wondering boy," the lady in question laughed lightly, looking over her shoulder to give Sae a knowing look. "I can practically hear it in your silence." She smiled a secret smile. "You are wondering why I am being put in a wing where no one else is staying, yes? Well first let me ask you if you were aware that Lord Sesshomaru's living corridors are located in the west wing?"
Trying to hide her initial surprise, Sae shook her head.
"I thought not," Lady Fukui smirked. "No one in his castle seems to ever know where the lord sleeps … except, of course, some of the maids." There was a hint of scorn in her voice at the last part.
Sae attempted to maintain a blank face.
"Anyhow, since Lord Sesshomaru's chambers are in the west wing he found it more convenient to visit me if I was just a few doors down instead of across the castle. Thus, I am always accommodated in a chamber close to his."
Glad to be informed, yet feeling a bit nauseated at the details, Sae snapped her gaping mouth shut and willed herself to stay inexpressive. It wouldn't do to let Lady Fukui see how her comments affected Sae. She was disgusted to once again be reminded of the way the lord seemed to take advantage of his servants with so little regard. Particularly the women. It was a wonder that any female would find him appealing.
It was slightly fascinating, therefore, to hear a lady of noble birth speak of her relations with the lord so … eagerly. And with such straightforwardness.
If she hadn't been trying to hide her secret, already Sae thought she might have actually liked being in this lady's company. Sure she was overly free with her favors but she was also very frank and did not apologize for it.
Sae appreciated honesty in anyone.
"Ah, here we are," Lady Fukui announced, gliding past a decorated door and into a well-lit room.
Sae hesitated for a moment outside the lady's chamber, wondering if she could just leave her things outside and send another servant to bring in the lady's luggage. But only a second past before Lady Fukui called out to her and Sae was forced to enter the room.
Upon seeing her face, the angelic looking woman laughed. "You do not have to look so nervous, boy. I am too tired to test my theory on your stamina. Perhaps another day, hmm?" She smiled when she noticed Sae visibly relax.
"You are a strange young man, are you not?" She did not wait for Sae to reply before she moved behind the tall screen divider in the corner. "If you would just put my things beside the bed and send a maid to unpack, I will not need your services for several hours," she called out before the sound of clothes rustling filled the room. "Come back an hour before dinner so you may escort me down."
"Of course, my lady," Sae replied formally, quickly placing the lady's trunks by her bed and going to fetch a maid as instructed.
It took a mere 10 minutes for Sae to hunt down a suitable maid and give Lady Fukui's orders. As soon as that was done, Sae was left standing in the middle of the great hall, alone. She looked around her and for several seconds watched all the servants that scurried this way and that to do as the lord's or lady's bid. Sae knew she should probably go and help one of her fellow piers, but she didn't much feel like dealing with another overbearing lady or lord.
So Sae snuck outside, to wait until the hour when she would return to her lady's chambers.
"So what was she like?" Asumi asked, her eager face shining with curiosity.
Sae looked away from her nice view of the evening sky to glance over at her friend. At the look of rapt attention, Sae couldn't help but chuckle. Asumi had come to join her only a few moments after Sae made her escape from Lady Fukui's chambers. Almost immediately she had started bombarding Sae with question about the mysterious lady whom everyone knew to be one of the lord's mistress. Sae had kept her silence for a good half an hour. Only because she wasn't exactly sure what to say … and she enjoyed seeing her friend squirm the slightest bit.
"Satoru," Asumi's voice hinted of impatience.
Sae lifted an eyebrow in question, "Yes?"
Automatically Asumi's lips puckered into a small pout. "Satoru, do not be so unkind. I have been waiting for you to tell me of Lady Fukui for a while now."
Her lips twitching with amusement, Sae rolled her eyes and let out a small melodramatic sigh. "Alright, alright I think I have tortured you enough ..." Sae grinned mischievously, "For now."
Her pout transforming into a frown, Asumi narrowed suspicious eyes at her companion.
Looking away with a smile spread across her face, Sae gazed back up at the sky before replying. "She was very ..." she hesitated a moment, "open."
To say the least.
"Really?" Asumi suddenly appeared hopeful. "How so?"
"Er …" caught between being completely honest or putting it delicately, Sae thought the latter would be best for her friend rather than the former. "She spoke of her past with the lord," she offered, knowing that sharing Lady Fukui's other topics would most likely set her friend off into a fit of vapors.
"Oh," said friend muttered, looking slightly put out.
Inwardly sighing, Sae leaned closer to her companion's ear, in a slightly distinct manner. "AND she told me she would share more tales of her travels with me later in the evening," she lied, knowing that this was what Asumi had been wanting to hear. Her friend had been hero-worshiping the lords and ladies of these lands since she was a young girl; when she had first served at a ball in the lord's castle. Not that it had come as any surprise to anyone, of course. Most servants shared a similar sentiment. It was inevitable, really –this sense of awe around nobility. The colorful silks and sparkling jewels customarily wrapped over the refined lady's was very easy to become entranced by.
So Sae decided to indulge her awe struck friend. What harm could it do? Asumi at least deserved her dreams, as any young woman should. Especially woman who were made to work and serve the moment their young fragile hands could carry a bucket of water. A little happiness, albeit a very small one, was precious to such a woman.
"Really?" Asumi clasped her hands together excitedly. "Oh Satoru, you must tell me everything the moment she does."
"Of course," Sae replied, wondering how she was going to make up plausible adventures.
Asumi sighed happily and leaned back against the bark of the tree stump.
Sae glanced at her friend and caught her whimsical expression. She knew Asumi was most likely thinking of all the possible places a lady such as Lady Fukui would have visited. So Sae just relaxed and allowed her friend to dream.
"Satoru!" came the alarmed voice of Asumi.
"Mmm," Sae groaned, her eye twitching.
"Satoru, you must wake up!" Asumi shook her sleeping companion.
"Huh?" Sae slowly cracked one eye open.
Asumi's expression was extremely worried. "Satoru, please we must go!"
"Go?" Sae mumbled groggily, her mind still fuzzy.
"Yes!" Asumi tugged at Sae's arm urgently. "We are going to be late for the dinner! We must return to the castle!"
Sae yawned as she sat up and stretched. "Dinner?" she echoed, then like a bolt of lightening it dawned on her. "The feast! Lady Fukui!"
Asumi helped Saw scramble up from her position and together they ran towards the castle.
"Thank you, Asumi," Sae huffed, keeping a brisk walk as they entered the grand hall. "I owe you."
"I will hold you to that," Asumi wheezed, out of breath as she tried to keep up.
Sae grinned, "I meant metaphorically, of course."
Asumi rolled her eyes, but couldn't help the small smile that tugged on her lips.
At the bottom of the big stairwell, Sae and Asumi parted ways. With a small wave, Sae took the steps two at a time, her lungs already beginning to burn. She knew she wouldn't be in this predicament if she had not fallen asleep earlier. What if she decides to tell the lord? Sae thought with a twinge of alarm. She prayed she wasn't late … or she would have more than just the lady's wrath to worry about.
Once she reached the hall leading to the lady's chambers, Sae stopped and tried to discreetly straighten her clothing as she walked closer to the doors. And although she received many strange looks from the other maids, Sae stood straight and tilted her chin high, trying to appear as if nothing was out of the norm.
"Enter," commanded a velvety voice at Sae's knock.
Taking a deep breath, Sae stepped into the chamber. She was met with the sight of Lady Fukui standing in the middle of her room. Two maids knelled at her feet as the lady held her arms stretched delicately out at her sides, her back facing the door. At Sae's approach, the blond woman turned to look over shoulder at Sae. She lifted haughty eyebrows. "You are late."
Sae bowed deeply, her heart thrumming in her ears. "Please forgive me, my lady. I … I lost track of the hour."
"Hmm," Lady Fukui lowered her arms and with a subtle flick of her wrist sent the two maids at her feet away. "Fortunately for you, I always arrive at the latest possible hour." She walked towards the rather large dressing table and sat at the chair situated in front.
Sae let out a muted breath of relief, sending thanks to the gods for her good fortune.
"So," Lady Fukui began, brushing a comb through her golden locks of hair. "I have been hearing some rather … interesting rumors about my dear Lord Sesshomaru."
Feeling suddenly uneasy, Sae shifted on her feet but said nothing.
The lady continued, unaware of the discomfort she was making of her company. "Yes, apparently it is said that the lord has been … associating with some maids in this castle recently." Lady Fukui turned in her seat and put the comb down. "Do you know what I mean when I say associating, Satoru?"
Swallowing, Sae nodded. "Yes, my lady."
Her lips tilting up on one side, the lady stood up from her place on the chair. "I knew you would, you do seem like a clever lad." She drew closer, at a careful pace that reminded Sae alarmingly of a predator stalking its prey. "So as you take my meaning, Lord Sesshomaru has been rumored to be bedding the chamber maids of this tower. And seeing as all the servants in this castle are human, you begin to see my concern."
Now, Sae gulped. The lady was walking in circles around her, talking as if she wasn't in the company of a lowly servant boy. She spoke in a tone that was almost … friendly, casual. As if she was speaking to an old friend … which was more frightening than if she had been yelling at her.
"I really could care less who the lord decides to take to his bed, I am a married woman after all. I have my lord husband. What occurs between Lord Sesshomaru and I is not exclusive, we may seek other lovers if it fancies our mood. But," Lady Fukui ran a finger down Sae's spine, causing panic-stricken goosebumps to materialize over her skin. "It does begin to worry me when Lord Sesshomaru starts to mate with lowly human servants while I'm here available to him."
Sae tried not to flinch at the vehemence in her tone.
"So you see, a powerful lord like Lord Sesshomaru should not have to disgrace himself by sharing his body with mere humans, especially with me as his lover." She stopped in front of Sae, her face extremely close to hers. "We, as nobility and powerful demons, have no real use for mortals other than to have you serve us."
At that, Sae couldn't help but stiffen. For the sake of her species, if not for her own human pride.
Lady Fukui licked her pink lips, her eyes smothering with what Sae could only assume was well-feigned lust. Sae knew that the lady was not truly interested in her, this act was nothing more than a manipulative tactic to get her to do as she bid. Probably worked on many males before. Sadly, the lady was barking up the wrong tree.
But, Sae had to admit, she had an excellent talent for making her eyes seem as if she truly desired you.
"Satoru, you must be wondering why I am telling you all this, yes?" the lady whispered, running the back of her fingers down Sae's cheek.
"No, my lady," Sae said in a shaky breath, extremely uncomfortable again.
"Of course you do," she chuckled. "But like a good little servant you will never question me, will you? But back to what I was saying, I tell you this Satoru because I wish for you to spy for me."
Sae's eyes snapped up to meet Lady Fukui's.
"I want you to tell me of any of the young maids the lord takes to his chambers. I want you to tell me if he seems to pay any particular interest in anyone." An eerie smile spread across the lady's angelic features. "I want you to keep me well informed Satoru so do not disappoint me. Or there will be dire consequences to pay."
"Yes, my lady," Sae said obediently, feeling herself begin to sweat.
"That's a good boy," Lady Fukui practically purred, her sharp teeth flashing as she smiled. "Now, it is time to join the others so let us be on our way."
Sae bowed and waited for the lady to lead, all the while her mind was racing. What was she going to do?
"Oh, and Satoru," the blond woman added airily. "If anyone finds out about what you are doing for me, I will kill you."
Sae swallowed. "Yes, m-my lady."
"Excellent," she smirked, enjoying Sae's discomfort. Lady Fukui then turned towards the door and proceeded to walk through it. Sae followed, at a slower pace in order to keep a safe and respectful distance. She knew that always being near but far enough as to not crowd was one of the many protocols that needed to be followed as a servant to Lord Sesshomaru's guests. Sae had been taught many rules on what to do and what not to do when it came to the lords and ladies.
Running as far away as fast as she possibly could, for example, was a not to do.
Although that was exactly what Sae felt like doing. Such urges needed to be contained around Lady Fukui for that was completely unacceptable behavior. It would prompt a very bad reaction from said lady and a death sentence from Lord Sesshomaru. So Sae had to keep from uttering a peep. On the inside, however, she was letting all her horror run wild.
How did her situation continue to get worse? Every time a small smidge of normalcy entered Sae's very unusual life, something always came to throw her world out of whack again. Now not only would she be catering to a noble woman's every whim, Sae was expected to spy on Lord Sesshomaru too!? The very lord that could kill her with a mere flick of a wrist!? Not that Lady Fukui cared, of course. Should Sae be killed all the lady had to do was get another servant to do her spying for her. Simple. Easy. Inconsequential.
That was the life of a servant.
"Do not dawdle, Satoru," commanded Lady Fukui, never once turning around.
Sae snapped out of her musing and walked just a bit faster. This was no time to panic. She would have to deal with that when the time came. For now, she would have to deal with the ominous dinner that she was about to lay witness to. Surviving an evening dealing with haughty lords and ladies without incident was the goal of the night.
As Sae trailed after Lady Fukui on the spiraling stairway leading to the main dining hall, she wondered briefly if she could sneak away sometime during the meal without anyone realizing it. But as the entrance of the dining hall loomed ahead and the sounds of chattering voices became clear, Sae lost her thought of escape and focused on breathing.
"Ah, I see my wife has decided to finally join us," was the greeting Lord Fukui gave as the lady swept into the hall.
"My lord," Lady Fukui bowed, gracefully lowering to a curtsy.
One look at Lord Fukui and Sae understood why the lady looked elsewhere for her carnal pleasures. The lord was everything opposite his wife. While the lady was fair and angelic, the lord was hairy and fat. His double chin jiggled as he gave an acknowledging nod to his wife, his beady eyes narrowing in on her low cut bodice before his beefy hand gestured to the empty seat beside him. "Sit," he commanded, his voice sounding gruff.
Lady Fukui lifted up from her low curtsy and graciously took the seat next to her husband.
Sae took her place by the wall, alongside the other servants, and became a part of the décor –inanimate and invisible.
"Glad you could join us," said Lord Sesshomaru coolly, at his place at the head of the long table.
There was a murmur of agreement from the other guest in which Lady Fukui smiled. "Of course, I wouldn't miss it for the world, Lord Sesshomaru," she purred.
While there was a subtle ripple of discomfort that some of the other guest couldn't help but convey, Lord Sesshomaru merely looked at her before turning back to his conversation to the lord next to him. And so the conversation once again continued to flow.
As Lady Fukui pouted, Sae wondered if her husband noticed how his wife looked at Lord Sesshomaru. As if he were the meal instead of the food placed right in front of her. And if he did, if he even cared.
"Pass the salt," Lord Fukui mumbled between a bit of greasy chicken.
The lady handed the small bottle to her husband, never once turning her head to watch him stuff his face; although there was a small disgusted curl to her upper lip.
Or perhaps food was all he cared about, Sae thought.
"So my lord, as I was saying," rang out a voice of the young Lord Miyazaki. "My companion and I had been traveling east a few weeks earlier and came by a rather … peculiar group on our way."
Lord Sesshomaru turned to look at the speaker. "Is that so."
"Yes," Lord Miyazaki continued jovially. "At first I thought they were merely a group of insignificant travelers but then we got a whiff of one of them in particular. A white haired half demon who called himself Inuyasha."
The whole room seemed to grow eerily quiet, as a wave of unease washed over the guests.
Sae, like everyone else in the room, looked at Lord Sesshomaru. His face, usually devoid of emotion, became particularly cold.
Yet, Lord Miyazaki continued on, seemingly oblivious of the tension in the room.
"Quite rude for a half breed and quick to draw that magnificent sword of his." Lord Miyazaki took a bit out of his plate and went on. "A waste of beautiful crafted steel really. A sword of that power should belong to a full-fledged and equally powerful demon. Not some dog-eared ill-tempered half breed like that. Honestly, his sire should be ashamed of himself, to create such an abomination. Who would produce such a creature?" There was a good measure of disgust in his voice.
"My father," Lord Sesshomaru said chillingly.
Sae just stopped herself from gasping out loud.
Finally! Lord Miyazaki lifted his head and looked up. The cocky smirk immediately fell from his face. Some of the guests where shaking their heads in reprimand, while others merely gazed at him in pity.
The young lord slowly turned to look at the head of the long dining table and Sae could see as the color drained from his face. "I-"
"My father," Lord Sesshomaru cut him off, his smooth voice sending a chill down Sae's spine. "Is the unfortunate sire of this … abomination, as you say. He, like many great demon lords, fell for the pretty face of a mere human. The regrettable result, as you have already witnessed, was my half-brother Inuyasha."
Lord Miyazaki gulped. "M-my apologies my lord. I meant no disrespect."
"No, I suppose you didn't," Lord Sesshomaru said, although his features didn't seem to agree. "However the unfortunate birth of my half-brother Inuyasha is my matter to deal with when the times comes. And I will do so when I see fit."
"O-of course, my lord," Lord Miyazaki bowed his head, in deep respect.
When it seemed as if Lord Sesshomaru had nothing more to say, the small chatter slowly began to fill the room once again. Sae watched as Lord Miyazaki slumped back in his chair, grabbed a napkin and wiped his forehead with it, as conversation continued to flow around him. He wasn't an ugly nobleman, Sae thought, as he slowly pulled himself together. His dark looks suited him very well. No doubt many found his shaggy black hair and brown eyes rather compelling. Good looks, however, did not get anyone very far. A lesson Sae was sure Lord Miyazaki learned today at the near miss of insulting the Lord of the Western lands.
Speaking of which, Sae glanced at Lord Sesshomaru and found him staring at someone with his eyes narrowed dangerously. For a brief terrifying second, Sae thought he was looking straight at her. She felt her heart stop.
But then, Hina swept by her with a jug of water, her hips swaying enticingly as she walked.
Her lungs once again beginning to function, Sae breathed as high of relief and watched Hina move towards Lord Sesshomaru to offer him a drink.
His eyes still narrowed on her face, the lord allowed her to pour the water into his glass. No one seemed to notice the servant girl leaning intimately over Lord Sesshomaru's shoulder, her breasts practically spilling over her blouse.
"Is there anything else you'd like my lord?" Hina asked, batting her eyes.
"No," Lord Sesshomaru dismissed her, grabbing his glass and bringing it to his lips.
With a low bow, Hina turned away and started walking back towards the door. When she reached right in front of Sae, she smirked and whispered. "I think the lord and I will suit very well, don't you think Satoru?"
Wide eyed, Sae stared at the girl's retreating back in astounding silence for a moment before shaking her head. After all this time, Hina still could not let the small incident go!? She thought to make her jealous? By flirting with Lord Sesshomaru? Sae mentally snorted. If Hina thought that she'd get a reaction from Sae, she was sadly mistaken. Sae neither cared nor wished to know anything about what Hina did with any man, especially the lord.
Suddenly remembering, Sae's insides froze.
Glancing from under her eyelashes at Lady Fukui, Sae found the lady looking at the door Hina had just exited with flashing eyes. She had forgotten for a second the impossible task the lady demanded of her. Not only did she have to care what Hina did with the lord, Sae had to keep track of any of the maidens Lord Sesshomaru associated himself with.
Great. Just Great
The rest of the dinner pasted uneventfully. With the exception of another attempt to get Lord Sessohmaru's attention from Hina and a very nasty remark from Lady Fukui, Sae hadn't had any more heart stopping moments. By the time all the lords and ladies retired to their rooms for sleep, Sae –along with one other girl –were the only servants left in the dining room. The rest had left with their assigned lord or lady to help with the process of going to bed.
Stifling a yawn, Sae prayed that Lady Fukui was almost done with the desert she seemed to be taking her time eating.
"Are you done, my dear?" Lord Fukui inquired, rubbing his belly in satisfaction.
"Oh," Lady Fukui looked down at her unfinished plate. "No, my love, I still have a bit more. Go ahead without me, I have Lord Sesshomaru to keep me company until I finish. Isn't that right, my lord?" the lady smiled.
Lord Sesshomaru's face remained impassive, but Sae got a strange feeling that he was annoyed. She wasn't sure how she knew that. But something about his aura and the way he slowly started drumming his long fingers on the table gave off the air of irritation.
"Of course," he inclined his head, never once sounding vexed.
"Thank you for your patience with my wife, my lord. But you know how woman are, they eat like birds. " Lord Fukui bowed, gwuaffing at his 'joke'. "Good night, my dear. You get a good rest."
"I will," Lady Fukui patiently raised her cheek for his sloppy kiss, a gleam glistening in her blue eyes. "Good night my love."
"You girl," Lord Fukui ordered, pointing a pudgy finger at the unfortunate girl a few feet away from Sae. "Come."
Jumping, the girl scampered after the plump lord.
"Well," Lady Fukui began softly, once her husband and the servant girl left the room. "You are not an easy man to get alone."
Lord Sesshomaru leaned back in his chair, looking every bit a king of his castle.
Lady Fukui pushed away from the table and stood. She walked closer to Lord Sesshomaru, her alluring smile very evident on her angelic face. "It's been a while, no my lord?"
"Perhaps," was Lord Sesshomaru's only response.
Lady Fukui stood in front of the lord's chair, tossing her thick blond hair over her shoulder. "I've missed you," she said throatily, bending down and running a slim hand up his arm.
A mocking eyebrow lifted on his face.
Paying no attention to his expression, Lady Fukui leaned closer. "Did you miss me?" she asked softly, her face a mere inch away from his.
Sae's heart rate was pumping fast. She wasn't exactly sure what to do in this particular situation. What she wanted to do was run away as fast as possible. But she knew she could not leave until the lady gave her permission to do so. But surely in this kind of scenario Lady Fukui would want privacy?
Slowly, not daring to breath, Sae began to inch closer to the door that lead to the kitchen.
"Even if you don't want to answer, I know you did," Lady Fukui's voice held a strong hint of arousal. "We were very good together."
Don't notice me. Sae silently pleaded, her brow beginning to sweat. She really did not want to see Lady Fukui and Lord Sesshomaru become intimate with each other. Sae hadn't even had her first experience with a boy and she'd rather keep all forbidden secrets for herself to discover.
There was a slight pause followed by a soft rustle of clothing.
Barely a foot away from the door, Sae glanced back to see if they had noticed her escape and immediately wished she hadn't.
Lady Fukui was sitting on the lord's lap, her slender arms around his shoulders and her lips running up his neck.
Unable to hold in a gasp, Sae made a dash for the door.
"Boy," came Lord Sesshomaru's cold voice.
Sae stopped dead in her tracks. "Y-yes, my lord," Sae whipped around and immediately bowed.
"Has the Lady Fukui excused your services?" he asked chillingly.
Too afraid to look up, Sae stayed bowing. "N-no, my lord."
"Then where do you think you were going?"
"N-nowhere," Sae squeaked and hurriedly made her way back to the spot against the wall. She stood fixed on her feet and stared straight at the opposite wall. Hoping desperately that there would be no punishment for her actions.
"Oh, my lord let the poor boy go," Sae heard Lady Fukui sigh. "I have no use for him tonight."
Not hearing a response right away, Sae chanced a look from the corner of her eye and saw the lord set the lady away from him before standing. "I am going to my chambers. He is yours to deal with as you wish," his tone implied punishment, but he merely flowed out of the room and left Sae untouched.
Sighing in relief, Sae couldn't help but lean slightly against the stone wall. It could have been a lot worse if the lord had demanded punishment. Even if Lady Fukui still decided to do it herself, Sae was just glad it would not be Lord Sesshomaru doing the punishing.
"Satoru, you disappoint me," Lady Fukui announced, once she composed herself. "I had thought you would have more courage than that, boy."
Sae bowed deeply. "My apologies my lady. I had thought you would have liked … privacy with his lordship."
There was a low chuckle. "Well, I cannot fault you for that, now can I? If you had just left sooner than perhaps we would not be in this predicament now. Ah well, next time you will not make the same mistake, yes? Come, there is much to be done before I can join my lord in is chambers."
Feeling her stomach sink with dread, Sae obediently followed Lady Fukui back to her chambers. If what the lady had just said was about to occur, then Sae had a long night ahead of her. For she knew that Lady Fukui was not going to let her off any time soon. Sae had an apprehensive feeling that she knew what it was Lady Fukui expected her to do.
It was a half an hour later when her suspicions were confirmed.
Sae stood behind Lady Fukui as she lightly rapped on the door of the lord's chambers. Lady Fukui stood in a sheer white gown that was practically see through; the material hugging her lush curves in all the places men found enticing.
Sae had been informed that she was to keep watch for any servants or nobility as Lady Fukui had a 'chat' with his lordship. She was not to leave her post until the lady was escorted back to her chambers. And although the lady had told Sae that it was not a form of punishment, Sae knew that in some ways, it was. She would be getting no sleep tonight.
The door opened to reveal a bare chested Lord Sesshomaru, his white hair hanging down his back.
Her eyes widening, Sae couldn't help but take a step back. Most said that with their clothes off, men were less intimidating. But that was not the case with the him. If possible, the lord's masculine chest made him seem all the more stronger and daunting.
With no words at all, Lady Fukui entered the chamber in a swish of white silk and the door closed automatically behind her petite form.
Sighing, Sae stood next to the door. Perhaps she should have allowed her brother to kill her earlier. Maybe then, she wouldn't be standing at the lord's door and watching out for any wandering maids or a member of nobility.
"Oh," came a breathless moan from the other side of the door.
Sae perked up, for a second thinking she had heard wrong.
"Yes, like that," the breathy moan came again.
Her hand covering her mouth in disbelief, Sae looked at the door in shock. It was obvious who the feminine sounds were coming from, but it was alarming to hear so clearly the noise that passed through the stone walls.
"Faster.".
Sae backed away, feeling her cheeks flush in embarrassment. This could not be happening. It was one thing to keep watch as they did … that. But it was something completely different having to endure the sounds of these actions.
"Oh god, yes, like that!"
Sae felt her back hit the cold wall. Swallowing hard, she slid down to the ground and curled her knees towards her chest. It was strange being on the other side of the door knowing what was going on inside. In Sae's mind, she had always thought intimacy, when it happened, would be a beautiful thing. An act shared by two people whom cared deeply for each other. But this …
"Harder! Oh, yes!"
Lady Fukui and Lord Sesshomaru made the act seem so … dirty.
The sound of wood pounding against the wall become so loud that Sae had to cover her ears to deafen the noise. She wasn't sure how long she stayed like that, her knees curled up against her chest and her hands covering her ears. But it seemed like an eternity later when the sound of thumping came to a stop and Lady Fukui's loud moans no longer filled the night air.
Sae abruptly stood, expecting the lady to come out of the lord's chambers any moment.
It took a few minutes longer than she had expected, but Lady Fukui soon walked gracefully out of the door; a look of complete satisfaction on her delicate features.
"You may leave now, Satoru, I have no more use for you tonight," Lady Fukui said dismissively, waving her arm as if getting rid of a pesky fly.
"But my lady-" Sae protested, knowing that Lord Sesshomaru would be irate if he found out that she left the lady out in the corridors.
"I said leave," Lady Fukui snapped, tossing her tousled hair over her shoulder haughtily.
"Yes, my lady," Sae bowed before turning and hurrying back to her quarters. She wasn't sure what the lady was up to but Sae had no intention of finding out. She'd have to deal with her tomorrow as it was. No reason to prolong any more time with Lady Fukui.
Sae just hoped she'd never have to hear the animalistic sounds of Lady Fukui making love ever again. She didn't think her stomach could handle another one of the lady's screeching moans.
I'm staying away from men, Sae vowed solemnly, never wanting to experience the thing she had just been witness to. If it meant being such a cold, heartless affair like what the lord and Lady Fukui had, she'd rather pass.
Exhaling tiredly, Sae climbed into her top bunk and fell face first onto the sheets. It had been a long and exhausting day. She just hoped tomorrow was a better one.
*Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of Rumiko Takahashi. The original characters and plot are the property of the author of this story. Any violence, perceived abuse, or negative behavior should not be taken literally. The plot is for entertainment purposes only. This author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any previously copyrighted material.